Asking for help...
What can we learn from llamas and goats?
It was frigid earlier this month, as is typical for Iowa in January. When the temperature is in single digits, we put small horse coats on the llamas and the goat. This helps them better retain their body heat so they can handle the bitter temperatures. Because of normal llama behavior, sometimes the coats go askew. My husband was cooking one morning and noticed Ellie was wearing a necktie rather than a coat when he looked out the window. She’d also gotten one of the straps wrapped around her leg. Since he was busy, oldest and I suited up and went out to set things right for her. Bea the Goat decided to help by continuously pressing her head into my thigh. I’ve read that goats like to head-butt those they love, and it seems Bea loves me very much. We made sure both Bea and Mae (the other llama) were OK and headed back inside.
The temperature was hovering around zero that day, and typically when it’s that cold, the llamas and goat do not venture outside the barn, coats or not. My husband is convinced she stood out in the llama yard for a reason, knowing we’d see and help her. Given that she acted like a turd while we were helping her, I’m not sure I hold such a high opinion of llama antics, but she got the help she needed.
Humans are not so good at asking for help, especially human students. It has been my experience that students generally do not like to ask for help. This has always baffled me, but these are the reasons why I think students are reluctant to seek help:
It makes them feel stupid to ask for help.
It makes them feel weak.
It puts them under the instructor’s radar.
They don’t know how to phrase a question effectively in an email.
It takes too long to ask for help (maybe they are already riding up against the deadline).
They didn’t think they would need help.
I’ve probably omitted some reasons from this list. If so, let me know! If you’ve been reluctant to ask for help and feel comfortable sharing, I’d love to hear from you. I’ve pondered this for a while now because, as an instructor, it’s my job to help, but I can only do so when I know help is needed or wanted.
Maybe I need to explain that if a student acts less obstinate than a llama in frigid temperatures, I’ll gladly help. Heck, I’ll even help those who are obstinate. If I can handle a head-butting goat gracefully, I can certainly assist a student! Wishing you all the best this week…take care, everyone.